Leading Individuals

Employment in Iceland

Lex Law Offices

Lex Law Offices provides clients with the full suite of employment services, including handling due diligence work, compensation schemes, and employment agreements, in addition to advising employers on cases of harassment, wrongful termination, and the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements. The department has a track record in acting for international clients operating within Iceland, while also catering to a broad domestic client base, including the Municipality of Árborg. Arnar Þór Stefánsson leads the department, and is experienced in representing public entities, businesses and individuals in litigation. Garðar Víðir Gunnarsson and Lára Herborg Ólafsdóttir are also key members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Arnar Þór Stefánsson


Other key lawyers:

Garðar Víðir Gunnarsson; Lára Herborg Ólafsdóttir


Testimonials

‘Broad knowledge.’

‘Good counselling and determined work.’

Key clients

First Water Salmon from Iceland hf.


ADG ehf. (AERO Design Global)


Indie Holdings. S.A (Indie Campers Iceland ehf.)


Sharecurely ehf.


Tempo ehf.


Bláfugl ehf. airline (Bluebird)


EFLA hf.


Municipality of Árborg


Work highlights


  • Representing Bláfugl ehf. airline (Bluebird) in a lawsuit filed by 10 former pilots claiming damages from the company due to termination of employment contracts.
  • Acted as legal counsel for the Municipality of Árborg in two court cases against the municipality by two former employees who claimed they had been wrongfully terminated.
  • Provided assistance to Tempo ehf., a software company,on updates to its employment agreements and agreements with independent contractors, in line with the most recent collective agreements.

LOGOS

LOGOS‘ team acts for a prestige client list of domestic and multinational clients on both contentious and non-contentious mandates. Areas of expertise for the team include employment contracts, restructurings, and work permits, as well as whistleblowing cases, claims of bullying, and other complex employment disputes. Department head Ólafur Eiríksson, who was appointed as a judge in the Icelandic Labour Court in 2022, is described as ‘exceptional’ by clients. Eiríksson supplements his employment practice with coverage of white collar crime, tort and bankruptcy law. Highly experienced senior associate Svanhvít Axelsdóttir is also a name to note.

Practice head(s):

Ólafur Eiríksson


Other key lawyers:

Einar Baldvin Axelsson; Svanhvít Axelsdóttir


Testimonials

‘I have worked with Ólafur Eiríksson on a tricky employment matter, and he has been very good.’

‘Legal knowledge in this field of law is at the highest level.’

‘Ólafur Eiríksson is the best practising lawyer in this field of law in Iceland. Has immense experience, which is very valuable.’

‘Ólafur Eiríksson responds quickly, he explains complicated matters in simple terms and is efficient in all his work.’

‘Logos has a very good knowledge of employment and data privacy.’

‘My lawyer at Logos for employment is Ólafur Eiríksson. He is exceptional. Answers my requests immediately, is calm and gives very good advice. He has attended difficult meetings with upset employees – calms both employees and managers and solves problems for both parties.’

Key clients

Deloitte ehf.


Sidekick Health


Rio Tinto Iceland


IBA – International Bar Association


Oculis SA


So Tech ehf.


World Learning Inc.


Ossur hf.


Verne Global hf.


Kerecis


Siminn hf.


Fossar Investment bank


Olgerðin Egill Skallagrimsson hf.


Ripple Labs Inc.


Kone AS


Crowberry Capital GP ehf.


Technical College of Iceland


Deel Inc.


Bull Hill Capital and Geo Salmo


Hrafnista


Eimskip Island ehf.


CRI ehf.


Pollard Banknote


Confederation of Icelandic Enterprises


Google


Arion Bank hf.


Icelandair hf.


Work highlights


  • Advised Deloitte ehf. on various complex employment disputes with previous partners.
  • Advising a large and leading provider of crypto solutions for businesses on a multi-jurisdictional employment related matter regarding management termination.
  • Acting for large and listed companies in cases regarding bullying and harassment, both outside courts and in active court cases.

ADVEL Attorneys at Law

ADVEL Attorneys at Law provides employment services to clients across numerous industries, including the shipping, IT, and banking sectors. The group is experienced in advising on cross-border matters, and a range of resultant complex labour law issues. Stefan Þór Ingimarsson leads the team, and is experienced in company law and corporate governance; Guðmundur Siemsen provides key support.

Practice head(s):

Stefan Þór Ingimarsson


Other key lawyers:

Guðmundur Siemsen


Key clients

The Icelandic Government


atNorth


Hampidjan


Advania


Arion bank


Work highlights


  • Representing Brim hf. in a number of cases before the District Court in Reykjavík as well as the Court of Appeal concerning the legal status of fishermen.

BBA//Fjeldco

BBA//Fjeldco advises clients in all fields of employment law and immigration matters, with experience acting for a diverse range of international companies and groups. Team lead Kári Ólafsson‘s practice spans immigration law, pensions issues, employment agreements, and employment due diligence in relation to M&A, acting for a client base ranging from small service companies to listed banks and insurers. Litigator Thórir Júlíusson has acted at all levels of the court system in cases concerning employment law, and is experienced in matters related to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Practice head(s):

Kári Ólafsson


Other key lawyers:

Thórir Júlíusson; Ásta Margrét Eiríksdóttir


Testimonials

‘Strong technical capabilities, and experience in working in a high-paced and complex international environment makes this team exceptional in the Icelandic market. Their swift turn-around and great attention to detail is a great asset.’

‘We have our contact person who takes care of us very well. Work quickly, and the work that is done is high quality. At the same time, there is a great variety of specialist knowledge within the agency. It’s a big salon but manages to keep a personal service.’

‘It is quite clear that they always have our interests in mind.’

‘Communication, quality of delivered product, and clear communication.’

Key clients

Securitas


Kea Hotels


Fly Play


Eleven Experience in Iceland


Kukl


VÍS


Kaldalón


Gangverk


Reiknistofa bankanna (RB)


Tommi’s Burger Joint


Work highlights


  • Advised Eleven Experience and its Icelandic subsidiaries, including drafting new bilingual employment agreements for all 80 employees of subsidiary Green Highlander.
  • Advised Kukl on how to best structure its employment matters, along with drafting templates for all relevant agreements.
  • Provided legal advice to Gangverk regarding general and specific employment matters.